El Nido: Island Hopping TOUR A with Lunch, Transfer & EDTF

El Nido Tour A packs the area’s signature scenery into one long day: towering limestone cliffs, clear water, small beaches, and two very different lagoons. Big Lagoon is the visual star, while Secret Lagoon gives you a more hands-on scramble through rock to a tucked-away pool.

I like the sensible all-in price, since lunch, the boat, guide, water, and required environmental fees are included. I also like the mix of quiet beach time and water stops, with snorkeling at Payong-Payong and Shimizu Island and swimming at Seven Commandos Beach. The main drawback is pickup confusion for hotels outside El Nido Town Proper, so confirm your transport before the morning of the tour.

Key points to know before booking

• Big Lagoon sets the tone: Expect dramatic limestone walls and bright blue water, with about an hour for the stop and photos.
• Secret Lagoon requires care: You may need to pass through a low, rocky opening, especially awkward at high tide.
• Lunch is served at Shimizu Island: The meal is included, but bring patience if you need special utensils or have strict food needs.
• The $50 price covers the essentials: Boat, guide, lunch, drinking water, life vest, lagoon fee, and environmental fee are included.
• Pickup has a firm boundary: Transport is included only within El Nido Town Proper, not Lio, Nampacan Beach, or Meregmeg.
• Pack for rough edges: Water shoes, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, and a waterproof bag will make the day easier.

Why Tour A remains El Nido’s classic day out

For a first visit to El Nido, this route gives you a strong sample of Bacuit Bay without asking you to organize several separate trips. You get famous scenery, swimming, snorkeling, a beach lunch, and time to sit still under the palms.

The schedule is built around five main stops, each with roughly an hour. That sounds generous, but getting from the boat to shore, putting on gear, taking photos, and returning to the boat uses part of that time. I would treat the day as a scenic sampler rather than a slow, private escape.

The tour costs $50 per person for eight hours. That is reasonable if you value convenience and want the required fees handled in advance. The price includes the motorized boat, guide, lunch, drinking water, life vest, lagoon fee, and environmental fee. Kayaks, snorkeling masks, fins, and aqua shoes cost extra or must be supplied by you.

The trip is conducted in English, and pickup is arranged from hotels within El Nido Town Proper. After booking, the operator sends a confirmation email, then provides pickup details two days before departure. On the morning itself, you are asked to wait in the hotel lobby for a driver holding a sign with your name.

That system should be simple inside town. It has been less clear for people staying outside the included zone. Some pickup arrangements have involved a tuk-tuk instead of a van, and extra transport charges have caused confusion. If your accommodation is outside Town Proper, ask in writing who collects you, who returns you, and exactly what you will pay.

Big Lagoon and the great limestone entrance

Big Lagoon is the stop most closely tied to the postcard image of El Nido. The water sits inside a wide opening surrounded by tall limestone cliffs, and the scale changes as you move closer to the lagoon.

The planned visit lasts about an hour and is listed as a photo stop and visit. You should expect time to admire the cliffs and water rather than an extended beach session. Kayaks may be available as an extra, but kayak rental is not part of the $50 price.

The color of the water and the shape of the cliffs do much of the work here. You do not need a complicated activity to appreciate it. Keep your phone or camera protected, since boat transfers and wet steps are part of the day.

Big Lagoon can also be one of the busier-feeling stops because it is among El Nido’s best-known sights. That is not a flaw in the scenery, but it does affect the mood. Go in expecting a popular natural attraction, not a private cove.

Secret Lagoon, through a rocky opening

Secret Lagoon offers a different kind of visit. Instead of simply looking at a large body of water from a boat, you make your way through a cave-like passage in the limestone to reach a natural pool.

The entrance can be rocky and slippery. At high tide, you need to pay close attention to your head and footing. At low tide, the opening is easier to enter by wading. Water shoes are one of the most useful things you can bring on this route.

The stop lasts about an hour and allows time for swimming. Kayaking may also be available, but the rental is not included. The space can feel tight, particularly when several people are moving through the opening, so keep your bag small and leave your hands free where possible.

This is not the best stop for anyone who has trouble with uneven ground, crouching, or narrow passages. The tour is described as suitable for children, seniors, and people with disabilities, but that broad statement should not replace a personal mobility check. Ask before booking if you need specific assistance with the rocky entrance or boat access.

Shimizu Island and the included island lunch

Shimizu Island is the lunch stop, with a white sand beach, clear water, and limestone cliffs that provide shade. After a morning around the lagoons, this is a useful pause because you can eat, swim, or simply sit on the shore.

Snorkeling here lets you look for fish and coral close to the beach. The island is also connected to a local story about a scuba diver named Shimizu, whose remains were found after he disappeared while exploring underwater tunnels nearby. It is a small detail, but it gives the place more character than a beach with a generic name.

Lunch is included in the tour price. Drinking water is included as well, but I would still bring a refillable bottle if you have one. The sun can be strong, and the day has several stretches when you are exposed on the beach or boat.

Food service can be basic. If you need utensils, check that you have them when the meal arrives rather than waiting until later. A past meal service ran short of forks, leaving some people with little time to eat once replacements arrived. This is a practical reason to carry hand sanitizer or tissues and to keep expectations closer to a beach picnic than a restaurant meal.

If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, ask the operator before departure. The supplied details do not promise a special menu, so do not assume one will be available.

Payong-Payong Beach for easy swimming

Payong-Payong Beach is the most relaxed stop on the route. Cliffs and unusual rock shapes frame the sand, while trees provide some shade. The water is clear, and the beach works well for a swim, simple snorkeling, photos, or a quiet break.

There are no listed sports or organized activities here. That is part of the appeal. You can stop chasing the next sight and just enjoy the setting for a while.

The beach is also useful for families because the focus is straightforward: walk, swim, sit, and take pictures. Still, bring water shoes if you dislike sharp or slippery surfaces around rocky edges. Conditions can change with tide and water movement, so follow the guide’s instructions about where to enter.

Snorkeling masks and fins are not included. You may bring your own gear, rent it separately, or ask the operator what is available on the day. Reef-safe, biodegradable sunscreen is the responsible choice, since the tour takes place around coral and shallow marine areas.

Seven Commandos Beach and the final swim

Seven Commandos Beach gives the day a classic tropical finish. It has about 320 meters of white sand, coconut trees, and high limestone cliffs, and it can only be reached by boat despite being part of the El Nido mainland area.

The name has several explanations. One story connects it to stranded soldiers, while others link it to a fishing boat or a carved stone found by local people. None of these versions needs to be settled for you to enjoy the beach, but the competing stories add a nice layer of local color.

The stop includes swimming and may include kayaking as an optional extra. After the more enclosed Secret Lagoon and the snorkeling stops, Seven Commandos gives you open beach space and a clear chance to slow down.

Keep an eye on the time. It is easy to settle under the palms and forget that the boat still has to return to El Nido. If rain arrives late in the day, bring a waterproof bag for your phone, wallet, and spare clothes. A sudden wet ride back is much easier when your essentials are protected.

What the boat day feels like in practice

The day begins with pickup and a transfer to the port. From there, you board a motorized boat and spend the day moving between islands and beaches. A life vest is available on board, and the guide stays with the group.

The boat is a practical way to connect the stops, but comfort depends on the sea and the number of people aboard. One piece of useful safety advice is to avoid smoking on a small fuel-powered boat. If you see smoking on board, raise the concern politely with the crew.

The tour is described as accessible to children, older adults, and people with disabilities, but the actual route includes boat boarding, wet shore transfers, swimming, and the rocky entrance at Secret Lagoon. Pregnant people and those over 95 are specifically excluded from the activity. Anyone with mobility limits should ask precise questions before paying.

The guides have been praised for being friendly, helpful, and fun, which matters on a long day involving many transfers. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect to request a particular guide.

What to pack for five water stops

Pack lightly, but pack for wet conditions. Your most useful items are:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Reef-safe or biodegradable sunscreen
• A sun hat, plus a spare hat or head covering if you burn easily
• Flip-flops and water shoes
• Snorkeling gear if you own it
• A waterproof bag for your phone and money
• Hand sanitizer or tissues
• Spare dry clothes
• Drinking water, even though water is provided

Water shoes deserve special attention. Secret Lagoon may require walking over rock, and beach entries are not always soft sand from boat to water. A waterproof pouch is also a smart purchase in El Nido, where rain and splashing can quickly ruin electronics.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Keep your belongings compact, since narrow passages and small boat seating leave little room for bulky luggage.

The transport issue you should settle first

Pickup is included only within El Nido Town Proper. The stated exclusions include hotels in the Lio, Nampacan Beach, and Meregmeg areas, along with other accommodations outside the town boundary.

This is the biggest practical weakness in the experience. The tour description says pickup is included, but that does not apply to every El Nido hotel. Transport may need to be arranged and paid for separately, and return arrangements can be unclear if the day ends in heavy rain.

I would send your exact hotel name before the trip and ask for a clear answer to three questions:

• Is pickup included from this address?
• What vehicle will collect me?
• Is the return transfer included, and where does it end?

Save the reply. It can prevent an argument over a tuk-tuk fare on a busy morning. If your accommodation is outside town, budget extra for local transport even if the operator later confirms a complimentary ride.

Who gets the best value from Tour A

This outing suits a first-time visitor who wants El Nido’s famous sights in one day. It is also a good choice if you prefer one organized payment instead of separately arranging a boat, lunch, guide, and environmental fees.

Families may like the simple rhythm of beach, water, lunch, and photos. Children should still be comfortable around boats and swimming, and an adult must watch them closely around the rocky Secret Lagoon entrance.

It suits people who enjoy a full day outside and do not mind a fixed schedule. It is less suitable for someone seeking solitude, a private boat, or long uninterrupted time at one beach.

You should think twice if you are pregnant, over 95, uncomfortable in boats, or unable to manage wet and uneven ground. The general accessibility claim is encouraging, but it does not remove the physical demands of the route.

Does the $50 price earn its place?

At $50, the package offers solid value for a full eight-hour day. Lunch, drinking water, the boat, guide, life vest, lagoon fee, and environmental fee are included, and that removes several common add-on costs.

The value weakens if you must pay for transport from outside town, rent a kayak, and hire snorkeling equipment. Those extras can make the final cost noticeably higher. The tour also does not include masks, fins, aqua shoes, or kayak rental, so count those before comparing it with another package.

I would consider the price fair for a standard group outing, provided your hotel falls inside the pickup zone and you are comfortable with a basic island lunch. If you want a more personal pace or guaranteed equipment quality, a private or higher-priced option may be worth considering.

Should you book El Nido Tour A?

Book it if you want the classic El Nido route, enjoy swimming and snorkeling, and value having the major fees and lunch handled in one booking. Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach give you plenty to see in eight hours.

Before paying, confirm your hotel pickup in writing, ask about return transport, and plan to bring water shoes plus a waterproof bag. If you do that, the tour offers a practical and scenic introduction to Bacuit Bay at a fair price.

Skip it if you need a private pace, have serious mobility concerns, or want a polished food and equipment service. For most active visitors staying in El Nido Town Proper, though, Tour A remains a useful first-day choice.

FAQ

What does the $50 El Nido Tour A price include?

The price includes the round-trip motorized boat, guide fee, island lunch, drinking water, life vest, lagoon fee, environmental fee, and round-trip port transfer within El Nido Town Proper.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is included within El Nido Town Proper only. Extra transport is not included for hotels outside the town area, including accommodations around Lio, Nampacan Beach, and Meregmeg.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts eight hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach, followed by a return to El Nido.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling masks and fins are not included. You can bring your own gear or arrange equipment separately.

Is kayak rental included?

No. Kayak rental is an extra cost. Kayaking may be available at Secret Lagoon and Seven Commandos Beach.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.